with the country set to fall off the fiscal cliff in just hours, time is running out for congress to make a deal. and what a difference a day makes. on thursday, things looked bleak. >> speaker boehner is unwilling to negotiate we have not heard a word from leader mcconnell. nothing is happening. >> we wanted an agreement, but we had no takers. >> o'donnell: it took a trip to the white house and a package scolding from the president. >> the american people are watching what we do here. obviously, their patience is already thin. this is deja vu all over again. >> o'donnell: but by week's end, senate leaders agreed to make a last-ditch effort to get a deal. >> so i'm hopeful and optimistic. >> i'm going to do everything i can. i'm confident senator mcconnell will do the same. >> o'donnell: we'll have the